UAE signs United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

11/07/2013

New York: The UAE last night signed the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, becoming one of the 79 nations to sign so far.

The Treaty was signed by Ambassador Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, the UAE Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and counter-signed on behalf of the United Nations by the Director of agreements in the presence of a number of international officials involved in the United Nations and members of the diplomatic corps' missions to the United Nations.

Following the signing, Ambassador Jarman expressed his pleasure to be signing on behalf of the UAE, calling it an important treaty, and the first international mechanism for the organisation of international trade in conventional arms without prejudice of the sovereign rights of states in regulating weapons within its territory.

The agreement also protects the right of access to necessary types of conventional weapons for the purpose of self-defence and the protection of both national and regional security according to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the resolutions of international legitimacy and relevant conventions.

With 154 states voting in favour and only 23 abstentions, the Treaty gained overwhelming approval in April of this year.

Iran, Syria and North Korea remained in opposition to the agreement which needed to be approved by at least 50 member states.

Signatures are the first step towards ratification, and the treaty will only take effect after 50 countries have fully ratified it. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

Obama consults Gulf leaders; Egypt thanks UAE

11/07/2013

US President Barack Obama on Tuesday spoke by phone to two Middle Eastern allies — General Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani — to discuss Egypt developments.

The phone calls came at a time when US$12 billion in aid from Egypt's wealthy Gulf allies bought Cairo a window of several months to try and stabilise its politics and repair its state finances.

The White House has said also it will not immediately cut off aid to Egypt as it reviews the tense and evolving situation.

On top of a total of US$8 billion that the UAE and Saudi Arabia offered on Tuesday, Kuwait on Wednesday pledged a further US$4 billion. "The President encouraged the UAE to underscore in its engagements with Egyptians the importance of avoiding violence and taking steps to enable dialogue and reconciliation,” the White House said in a statement about Obama's call with Gen. Sheikh Mohammed.

"The President and Sheikh Tamim agreed that a political process that includes participation by all parties and groups is critical for Egypt's stability,” the White House said in a separate statement about Obama's call with the Qatari Amir.

The United States has cautiously welcomed a plan by Egypt's interim government to hold quick elections but says it's not taking sides in the conflict.

Meanwhile, Tamer Mansour, Egyptian Ambassador to the UAE, said that people of Egypt would never forget the UAE's generous support towards them under the wise leadership of the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Ambassador recalled the first visit of a high-level Arab and Foreign official delegation to Egypt after the June revolution by the UAE, saying that it stemmed from brotherly relations.

The Egyptian community in the UAE, in a cable, thanked Sheikh Khalifa for his support to the people of Egypt, the will of Egyptians and their right to freedom and to choose their leaders.

The Egyptian community expressed "utmost appreciation and gratitude for the leadership and the people of the UAE for their unwavering efforts to back the Egyptian people in its march towards freedom, and for their respect to its will, as this reflects the solid long-standing friendship and ties between the people of the UAE and Egypt.” – Agencies

Beirut: The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation has announced aid initiatives and milestones achieved with regards to the on-going crisis in Syria.

This came during a press conference held in Beirut, which was attended by Mohammed Al Khoury, Director-General of The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, Hamad Al Junaibi, acting UAE ambassador in Lebanon, Ahmed Al Dahairi, representative of Foreign Affairs Ministry's delegation, Wael Abu Faour, Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs, and Brigadier General Pierre Salem, the Lebanese Interior Minister.

With the worsening refugee situation in Syria, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation is resolute in its efforts to provide necessary relief to the displaced by way of strategically placed mobile hospital camps, relief funds and supplies, avowing its loyal support to those whose lives have been disrupted by the on-going clashes.

Mohammed Al Khoury, Director-General of the Foundation emphasised that this initiative is a directive from President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and would cover all the displaced in Lebanon, regardless of whether they are registered or not. He added, "Our top priority is to help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, and to also afford the refugees every assistance we possibly can. We are doing this by working very intimately with UAE government missions and embassies in neighbouring countries, and we are certain that our perseverance and dedication in this matter will see us through." Wael Abu Faour the Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs, praised the role of the UAE and Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation, saying that this aid would bolster the efforts of the Lebanese government to handle the situation and provide assistance to the increasing number of displaced Syrian nationals.

The Lebanese Interior Minister, Brigadier General Pierre Salem, said that the UAE has provided immense support to Lebanon in times past, as it continues to do so even now. He commended the initiative, and lauded the Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation for its benevolence to countries in dire need of assistance for its indigent populations.

Hamad Mohammed Al Junaibi, UAE acting Ambassador in Beirut, said the UAE is one of the major supporters in the plight of the Syrian people, and will continue to be steadfast in its efforts to provide all the assistance required.

In Lebanon alone, the Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation has issued funds that have benefited an estimated 135,000 families.

The Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation and the UAE government has also united with its embassy counterparts in the neighbouring countries of Jordan and Turkey to provide relief and medical supplies that aim to improve the debilitating plight of Syrian refugees, also urging other countries and humanitarian organisations to strengthen their efforts to bring hope, safety and security to the crisis victims.

20 UAE volunteers have been placed throughout the camps in the countries where Syrian refugees have been displaced, to assist wherever needed and report back on the situation to the Foundation.

The Foundation was the first to send aid to the Syrian cause since it began in 2011, and has to date disbursed relief funds that have benefited 267,730 victims. The supplies included healthcare kits, food, cooking equipments, blankets, and medical equipment to Dar Al Shifa Hospital.

The Foundation has also provided medical aid and food supplies via relief and hospital camps in Jordan, treating sometimes up to 600 refugees a day, with its medical teams working around the clock at the deployed camps to provide immediate response to the wounded and traumatised victims. – Emirates News Agency, WAM

Beirut: The second phase of the UAE Red Crescent Authority's (UAE) campaign to provide aid to the Syrian refugees in Lebanon continued in coordination with the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC) under the supervision of the UAE Embassy in Beirut. Over 10,000 families will benefit from the project in several areas in Lebanon. For their part, the beneficiaries hailed the role of the UAE and its permanent support for them since the beginning of the crises in Syria up till now amid these dire conditions. On the other hand, the Iftar Project has started on the advent of the Holy Month of Ramadan, where thousands of needy Lebanese and Syrian families will benefit from it. The project will provide about 30,000 meals for more than 150,000 individuals in various regions in Lebanon. The assistance will include the distribution of Eid Clothing and Zakat Al-Fitr to the needy children and families.